This momma dog was dropped off at the Marin Humane Society in California, where an examination showed that the pup had recently given birth. Knowing her puppies still needed their mom, the organization reached out to the former owner and convinced them to surrender the puppies as well. The emotional reunion between the mother and her babies is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once as she transforms from a frightened dog cowering in the corner of the kennel…

… and into a mother giving her babies the comfort they so desperately need.

If you’d like to help dogs like this momma and her puppies, please consider donating to the Marin Humane Society. And if you’d like to see more updates on the momma, follow Marin Humane Society on Facebook.